Sunday
November 24th

34th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Christ the King
Sts. Andrew Dung-Lac and Companions

1st Reading: Dn 7:13-14:
As the visions during the night continued, I saw one like a Son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven; when he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him, the one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship; all peoples, nations, and languages serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed.

2nd Reading: Rv 1:5-8:
Jesus Christ is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, who has made us into a kingdom, priests for his God and Father, to him be glory and power forever and ever.  Amen. Behold, he is coming amid the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him. All the peoples of the earth will lament him. Yes.  Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, ” says the Lord God, “the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty.”

Gospel: Jn 18:33b-37:
Pilate said to Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?” Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here.” So Pilate said to him, “Then you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”

Reflection:
Many have misunderstood Jesus throughout the ages. This led to a false understanding of who Jesus is and what He is for us men and women. It led to division, wars and even ongoing hostilities until now. It also showed the all-too-human flaws of the various groups and their leaders who claimed Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Perhaps it is because Jesus Himself is too “large” to fit into neat orderly categories. He is a prophet but more than a prophet. A messiah but not a human messiah only. He is both human and divine messiah. He is a king but not according to the notion of the world. That is why Pilate could not grasp exactly who He is. Even the apostles could not quite grasp the enigma of His being.

He could never fit into the box of our making. That is why He has to suffer. To know Jesus better, we need to have a relationship with Him. We need to spend time and make an effort to nourish this relationship and allow it to grow into one that is loving. This love allows us to glimpse the mystery of His being, to have a better grasp of who He is. So, how is my relationship with the Lord lately? Perhaps a quiet moment with Him today should be tabled in my activity and I can spend some time in a loving conversation with Him just to touch base and reconnect in a purposeful way. Lord, disturb me when I am drifting away. Call me back to You; never allow me to stray that far. Give me that thirst to be with You until I am totally for You. Amen.

Monday
November 25th

St. Catherine of Alexandria

1st Reading: Rv 14:1-3, 4b-5:
I, John, looked and there was the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. I heard a sound from heaven like the sound of rushing water or a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. They were singing what seemed to be a new hymn before the throne, before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn this hymn except the hundred and forty-four thousand who had been ransomed from the earth. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They have been ransomed as the first fruits of the human race for God and the Lamb. On their lips no deceit has been found; they are unblemished.

Gospel: LK 21:1-4:
When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”

Reflection:
In our society today we are judged according to the criteria of economics Quantity takes advantage over quality. Statistics give us income and deficit. Families, schools, associations and governments thoroughly calculate their budgets. Money has become the true measure of life. The comment of Jesus in front of the treasure box of the temple is striking indeed. We can guess that priests, Pharisees and scribes were attentive to the big sums and rejoiced thereof. The Lord instead pays attention to the widow’s insignificant alms.

He praises her. He knows the heart and the intention. In these two small coins there was true worship of God, real sacrifice in humility. It is a lesson for the apostles. The widow didn’t hear the words of Jesus, but her soul was blessed by the Lord’s grace. Isn’t this a constant claim for our criteria and appreciation? How easily we join the worldly judgment of our society and even publically praise only the rich people who put their gifts in our congregations, institutions and works. However, around us truly pious widows are not lacking.

Tuesday
November 26th

1st Reading: RV 14:14-19:
I, John, looked and there was a white cloud, and sitting on the cloud one who looked like a son of man, with a gold crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. Another angel came out of the temple, crying out in a loud voice to the one sitting on the cloud, “Use your sickle and reap the harvest, for the time to reap has come, because the earth’s harvest is fully ripe.” So the one who was sitting on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested. Then another angel came out of the temple in heaven who also had a sharp sickle. Then another angel came from the altar, who was in charge of the fire, and cried out in a loud voice to the one who had the sharp sickle, “Use your sharp sickle and cut the clusters from the earth’s vines, for its grapes are ripe.” So the angel swung his sickle over the earth and cut the earth’s vintage. He threw it into the great wine press of God’s fury.

Gospel: LK 21:5-11:
While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, “All that you see here– the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” Then they asked him, “Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?” He answered, “See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’ Do not follow them! When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.” Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.”

Reflection:
At the time of Jesus, the temple of Jerusalem was really wonderful. It had been rebuilt by Herod the Great during 46 years (Jn 2:20). It was the pride of Israel. That is why the prophecy of Jesus was terrible indeed, but was literally accomplished in the year 70 AD. About the signs announcing this destruction, Jesus is extremely prudent, especially with the claim to be the Messiah.

During Christian history and until now we have this kind of false prophets. We decidedly have to resist, even if some personalities seem attractive and the institutions powerful. Even the wars and natural catastrophes could be very numerous. But we do not know the end. This is another easy temptation of today, since these natural disasters multiply and wars are never failing on our earth. For us the Gospel of Jesus and the communion to his risen body must be the source of an unshakable hope forever.

Wednesday
November 27th

1st Reading: RV 15:1-4:
I, John, saw in heaven another sign, great and awe-inspiring: seven angels with the seven last plagues, for through them God’s fury is accomplished. Then I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire. On the sea of glass were standing those who had won the victory over the beast and its image and the number that signified its name. They were holding God’s harps, and they sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb: “Great and wonderful are your works, Lord God almighty. Just and true are your ways, O king of the nations. Who will not fear you, Lord, or glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All the nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

Gospel: LK 21:12-19:
Jesus said to the crowd: “They will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”

Reflection:
The words of Jesus are clearly prophetic. In the history of the first evangelization of different countries and cultures normally we find martyrs. Remember: Jerusalem with Stephen, Rome with Peter and Paul, France with Irenaeus, Spain with Vincent, Germany with Boniface, the Czech Republic with Wenceslas, and Africa with Cyprian. And the same arrive in America – Canadian martyrs, in Africa – Uganda Martyrs – and in some countries of Asia: Japan, Korea, China, Vietnam, Philippines… Yes, when the Gospel arrives, the first generation becomes a living witness of Christ’s Passion. And always anew the words of Jesus become true: the wisdom of Christians in trials is irresistible.

Why does the name of Jesus provoke hate? Is the faith in Him a new mind and lifestyle that deeply shocks families and societies? Is the effusion of blood the sign of communion with the Cross? “There is not forgiveness without shedding of blood” (Heb 9:22). Will it be our vocation in the future? Nevertheless, the Providence of the Father is absolute – not one hair of ours will perish – and our triumph shall be perseverance through his grace with much thanksgiving.

Thursday
November 28th

Thanksgiving
St. Catherine Laboure

1st Reading: RV 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9A:
I, John, saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth became illumined by his splendor. He cried out in a mighty voice: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great. She has become a haunt for demons. She is a cage for every unclean spirit, a cage for every unclean bird, a cage for every unclean and disgusting beast.” A mighty angel picked up a stone like a huge millstone and threw it into the sea and said: “With such force will Babylon the great city be thrown down, and will never be found again. No melodies of harpists and musicians, flutists and trumpeters, will ever be heard in you again. No craftsmen in any trade will ever be found in you again. No sound of the millstone will ever be heard in you again. No light from a lamp will ever be seen in you again. No voices of bride and groom will ever be heard in you again. Because your merchants were the great ones of the world, all nations were led astray by your magic potion.”

After this I heard what sounded like the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying: “Alleluia! Salvation, glory, and might belong to our God, for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her harlotry. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” They said a second time: “Alleluia!  Smoke will rise from her forever and ever.” Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.”

Gospel: LK 21:20-28:
Jesus said to his disciples: “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, know that its desolation is at hand. Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains. Let those within the city escape from it, and let those in the countryside not enter the city, for these days are the time of punishment when all the Scriptures are fulfilled. Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days, for a terrible calamity will come upon the earth and a wrathful judgment upon this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken as captives to all the Gentiles; and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.”

Reflection:
At the end of the liturgical year and around the feast of Christ the King, the Church invites us to reflect on the last events of the History of Salvation. Jesus gives us first the description of the end of Jerusalem by the Roman troupes, with special compassion toward pregnant women and mothers with babies. Flavius Josephus, a Hebrew historian who witnessed the terrible siege of the city, has written about the horror of those days.

In fact Jerusalem was defiled and the Temple was destroyed by pagans in 70 A.D. with abomination idols installed there after 135. But this pagan period seems to be provisory: “until the time of the pagans is fulfilled.” Jesus opens his eyes to the end of the Salvation History with cosmic signs; then should be the judgment of the world and the solemn coming of the Son of Man in majesty with power and glory. Jesus however invites us to stand erect and lift up our hearts, because our final deliverance is at hand. Isn’t that an invitation to the holy fear of God and deep confidence in his salvation?

Friday
November 29th

Anniversary of Dorothy Day’s death

1st Reading: RV 20:1-4, 11—21:2:
I, John, saw an angel come down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the abyss and a heavy chain. He seized the dragon, the ancient serpent, which is the Devil or Satan, and tied it up for a thousand years and threw it into the abyss, which he locked over it and sealed, so that it could no longer lead the nations astray until the thousand years are completed. After this, it is to be released for a short time. Then I saw thrones; those who sat on them were entrusted with judgment. I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, and who had not worshiped the beast or its image nor had accepted its mark on their foreheads or hands. They came to life and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years. Next I saw a large white throne and the one who was sitting on it.

The earth and the sky fled from his presence and there was no place for them. I saw the dead, the great and the lowly, standing before the throne, and scrolls were opened. Then another scroll was opened, the book of life. The dead were judged according to their deeds, by what was written in the scrolls. The sea gave up its dead; then Death and Hades gave up their dead. All the dead were judged according to their deeds. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the pool of fire. (This pool of fire is the second death.) Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the pool of fire. Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Gospel: LK 21:29-33:
Jesus told his disciples a parable. “Consider the fig tree and all the other trees. When their buds burst open, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near; in the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near. Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”

Reflection:
In a familiar homily, Pope Francis pointed to the “signs of the times” with gifted expressions: “The Lord wants us to understand what is happening in my heart, what is happening in my life, what is happening in the world, in history. These are the ‘signs of the times’, and he puts this attitude in contrast with the spirit of the world. “The spirit of the world does not want us to ask ourselves before God: ‘But why this, why that, why does it happen?’” That can be an excellent application of the Gospel of today, in which the Lord reminds us that the buds sprouting from the fig tree are a sign of the summer.

The moral lesson then is an admonition for the last events: the destruction of Jerusalem and the final coming of the Kingdom of God. Yes, following the pope we must be attentive to all kinds of signs God sends us, both internal and external; and following Jesus we must be especially careful with the preparation of the end of the History. In fact, like the words of Jesus which were accomplished in the destruction of Jerusalem, these words will be fulfilled at his second coming. With the pope let us ask “for the grace to read the signs of the times.”

Saturday
November 30th

St. Andrew

1st Reading: Rom 10:9-18:
Brothers and sisters: If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The Scripture says, No one who believes in him will be put to shame. There is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, enriching all who call upon him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? And how can people preach unless they are sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news! But not everyone has heeded the good news; for Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed what was heard from us? Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ. But I ask, did they not hear? Certainly they did; for Their voice has gone forth to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.

Gospel: Mt 4:18-22:
As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.

Reflection:
In the New Testament we find two complementary narratives of Andrew’s vocation. In Matthew, Simon (Peter) and Andrew, brothers, are fishermen in the lake of Galilee and are called by Jesus. In the Gospel of John, Andrew appears as disciple of John the Baptist. He heard his testimony and was with Jesus a complete day. Early in the next morning he looked for his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” and brought Simon to Jesus (Jn 1: 37-42). So we can approach this apostle under two aspects: as a fisherman and as a disciple of John the Baptist. We are before a rich personality, though discrete in the rest of the Gospel.

In fact, he appears only in the multiplication of bread and fish (Jn 6: 8) and in the entry of Jesus to Jerusalem (Jn 12: 22). He preached the Gospel in Asia Minor and Greece, and was crucified in Patras. Andrew is venerated not only as the Patron of Constantinople, but also of Scotland and Russia. We see Andrew recognizing in Jesus the Messiah through the witness of John and his own experience. And we admire his solicitude immediately calling his brother Peter. We also realize his promptness in leaving his family and job and following Jesus. Andrew is for us a model of availability and perseverance in the call of the Lord.